Iran to unveil 1st domestically built plane

The Islamic Republic of Iran will unveil its first domestically manufactured passenger plane in the next 30 to 60 days, according to a senior Iranian aviation official.

Iranian Defense Ministry Aviation Industries Organization Managing Director Manouchehr Manteqi told the Mehr news agency on Friday that the first totally Iranian plane, with a capacity of 100 passengers, will be unveiled in the Iranian calendar month of Mehr (September 23-October 22).

Manteqi also hailed the country’s achievements in the aviation industries, noting that the Islamic Republic is one of the regional powers in aircraft overhaul and maintenance.

In June, the chairman of the Kiev headquarters of the Antonov Aerospace Company said Iran and Ukraine plan to cooperate on the construction of 78 Antonov-148 aircraft by the end of 2011.

Dmitry Kiva stated that Antonov and the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company have signed a contract to manufacture the planes, adding that Antonov will produce the twin-engine mid-range turboprop for the mid-range jet airliner.

The Iranian Defense Ministry has been manufacturing a licensed version of the Antonov-148 since 2009.